Truck has trouble starting when a passenger is in the seat

[chayse brooks]

My friend has an 2003 ford ranger with a 4.0 v6 she's saying that she is having trouble starting it when there is a passenger or weight in the passenger seat. All it will do is turn over but after the person or weight is moved from the passenger seat it will turn over and and then eventually start. I'm not sure where to even begin looking for a problem. What do you guys think is going on ?

 

[Tedybear]

The only thing I can think of? And this is probably totally off in left field.

Maybe the fuel cut off switch (inertia switch) might have a bad contacts, and when someone sits in the passenger seat with their feet on the carpet it's causing a connection issue?

That's pretty much all I can think of. That's a truly odd issue. I take it that if you start the truck, and then the passenger then takes a seat after it's already started--It's no problem?

Odd one...

S-

 

[Curious Hound]

Truck is extremely jealous.

 

[enjr44]

Not sure how the air bag system interfaces with the starting system on an 03..... But, if there is no one in the pass seat the pass air bag is disabled. Pressure sensor in the seat decides when the air bag is turned on with full pressure, half pressure (for a kid) or turned off. My guess is the problem is in that area. I do know that if you place a package on the seat of my 08 it gets all disturbed unless you fasten the seat belt.

The 02 had an air bag recall or service bulletin (??) or something having to do with the electrical connections under the seats. Try turning the pass air bag off using the key like switch under the a/c controls. Or maybe someone turned it off and now when someone sits in the seat it is a no go.